December 7th, 2022 at 11:25 am

Germany Eases Residency Rules For Foreigners

A new bill passed by the German Bundestag, or lower house of Parliament, will allow immigrants holding temporary “tolerated stay” permits to gain permanent residency.

Those who are in fact required to leave the country but whose departure is temporarily impractical are given a “tolerated stay” permission.

NEW DURATION FOR GERMANY RESIDENCY

Foreigners will now receive 18 months of “opportunity right of residency” to complete the conditions for a residency card, providing they did not commit any crimes, if they had lived in Germany for at least five years by October 31, 2022.

“We want people who are already well integrated to have a fair chance of staying,” Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said in a statement on Friday.

GERMANY RESIDENCY: AGE LIMITS

People up to the age of 27 will be given an 18-month permit under the new regulations, with the possibility of obtaining permanent residence in just three years.

These requirements, which are a part of the Residency Act, are primarily confirmation of identity, A2 proficiency in German, and the ability to cover one’s own living expenses for older persons (though there are some exceptions to this, mainly if they are attending school or university, or raising children alone).

GERMANY RESIDENCY: INCOME

The biggest economy in Europe is suffering from a serious labor shortage and an aging population.

Income requirements for the Blue Card for work migration will be eased in an effort to draw in more foreign workers.

A “opportunity card” for those with high potential will also be introduced.

“In the competition for talent and helping hands, we are offering new, and above all easier, ways to work in Germany,” Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil said on Wednesday when he presented the plans.

He emphasized that the lack of skilled workers should not act as a “permanent brake on growth.”

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